Looking for a more up-to-date streamer

Cambridge Audio EXN100, excellent streamer and Dac .

zlone, it's a reasonably good cable--Cardas Parsec. I'm pretty happy with the sound I'm getting with this setup. It looks like if I switch to an Aurender streamer, USB would be my only choice. 

USB can bring problems of its own. It is highly dependent on the devices on either end and the cable in between. Not to go down a rabbit hole here, but what digital RCA cable are you using now?

I would stay away from Volumino.  I had bought a Digital Processor from shm that threw in a streamer that I didn’t want or need made by Volumino.  The DSP worked great but the streamer was awful and the Volumino app was worse. @blisshifi gave a good recommendation about the Wiim, which definitely does Qobuz Connect and when paired with a good DAC can sound very good.  And if you don’t like it you still have most of your budget to play with leftover 

Within the last two days I have been researching the Volumio Rivo+ with an external LPS.  I really like what I’ve read and watched about it so far.  Seems like 90-95% of what the Aurender N200 offers but at a third of the price.  For its price and performance I am strongly considering taking a punt on it.  By the way, you can get the Rivo+ and an LHY LPS bundled from online retailers for around $1800 all in.

Oops--apologies to hjdca. I should have looked back through this thread again before my previous post. The Volumio Rivo+ was indeed mentioned here and I appreciate your sharing your opinion.

I don't think it's been mentioned in any of the recommendations here, but I'm now quite curious about the Volumio Rivo or Rivo Plus digital transport, which I saw reviewed on YouTube recently by A British Audiophile. It's well within my budget, even after adding a separate LPS. (Oddly, Volumio offers one but it's not available to US buyers). 

This unit has all the connectivity one could ask for, and even though it's not yet compatible with Qobuz Connect, it very likely will be at some point soon, at least, according to the review.

Anybody heard this streamer? If so, I'd be very interested to hear your real-world experiences with it.. Tnanks..

My experience has been, sold my Pontus 2 original SW, purchased the Chord Qutest, using BNC input from a Wiim Pro w/ LHY outboard PS.  USB is not the recommended connection by the manufacturer even though it’s offered and galvanic isolated.  That tells me something. 

Hoo Rah Now Seen 25% Cheaper than retail, for a US Customer what a opportunity, a $K left to play with, maybe audio, or a few day of R&R with a Spouse or Partner?.

The used Market is such a fun place, it certainly helps some to realize their aspirations and leave the coffer with coin.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650220466-teac-ud-701n-network-music-streamerstereo-preamp/

I owned a Pontus a while back very nice dac, I never updated mine, not sure if you can delete updates and go back to square one and see if presentation is more natural.The Aurender is very natural and easy to listen to, I enjoyed the Auralic, you may be able to find a g2 close to your budget. Someone mentioned the Cambridge I have a cxn v2 and very surprised how good it sounds being so inexpensive very analog, I did have to use a nice balanced cable and added a Synergistic purple fuse to get where I needed. I know people don’t like talking about it but those damn fuses can do wonders, you can buy purple used for $80 bucks just to test the water, Masters is awsome. One of the best things I did with the Pontus was ad a ddc Hemes maybe you can try that down the road, 

+1 on Aurender. Can’t go wrong, especially a N200. 

Please take the time to Investigate the TEAC UD-701N, I do believe that this model is to be my first ever Streaming Source when I get around to making a purchase.

Reading this and some other threads on the subject of streamers/servers, I’m now rethinking my aspiration for a USB output, as there is a body of opinion that this connection is inherently more noisy than some others. I believe, however, it can accommodate higher bitrates than, say, SPDIF. My current streamer (Lumin T1) is connected via RCA coax. It actually sounds pretty good this way, my only other option being toslink (optical), which, to be honest, I haven't actually tried.

In an ideal world, I’d go for I2s via HDMI, but even though my Denafrips DAC has an I2s input, it is, as I said in my previous post, occupied by my CD transport. 

I’d be grateful for guidance on this issue. Thanks!

The Cambridge Audio streamers in that range are excellent but you would have to check on the Qobuz Connect

Since we have some people talkin' streamers here I would like to ask about one & opinions. A friend of my brother who lives out of state has a Hifi-Rose 250A he offered me for $1500. Any thoughts, criticisms, or opinions on this model/price? The OP @cooper52 mentioned the Rose brand as well. 

I've probably had a dozen streamers under the $1500 mark & I've gone back to the Zen Stream with Sbooster & a Pontus 15th. When used with an old cell phone I dedicated just for streaming the software has been perfect. Since I have the Pontus I'm not sure I would use the internal DAC on the 250A. Not trying to hijack a thread but any quick answers would be appreciated. 

Thanks to all for your input and advice. Lots to think about. The consensus seems to favor Aurender, though their best regarded streamers are way out of my price range. I noticed an A10 currently available that I can stretch to--do any of you have experience with the A-series streamers? 

The reason I am favoring USB connection over I2s is that my DAC's I2s input is occupied by my Shanling ET-3 CD transport. 

Also, not noticing much love for HiFi Rose in this thread. Any opinions about that brand? Lots of very expensive models in that line, but sometimes a few come up used that might merit my consideration.

• For under $1500, IFi Neo stream has an I2S out that I find remarkably clearer than usb. Not many streamers in this price range have that. And it supports Qobuz connect but I prefer mconnect.

I love my Aurender N200.   Built like a tank, gets better with each update,  now has Qobuz Connect.   Great machine.  

Another reason to buy Aurender is they are built like a tank with great customer support.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2813333

@campoly Airlens are very good. No loss omitting the usb. At least they know what an over-hyped connection it is. Never take audio advice from a computer nerd. 

Often thought of getting an airlens, but reviews say sound is markedly better through its I2S than through its spdif connection. Several reviews say bass is a different. Neither of my two DACs have I2S. What else is good in the airlens price range?

@mazian @ghdprentice @jallan 

Another +1 Aurender.  Most musical I auditioned of the majors in my budget.  

@ghdprentice an honor to be +1 by you, sir! 

@jallan 

+1 again 

I own a Aurender N100H for my headphone system... and am listening to it now. I have a Aurender W20SE on my main system. I have audioned other N series... highly recommended. 

I have a Volumio Rivo+ with a Linear power supply and a 4K OLED monitor for the last few months and I am very impressed with the sound and the Volumio user interface.  In addition to streaming, Volumio can access music files from a server, SSD, USB stick, or microsd card.  I also really like the band and album history that is displayed by Volumio on the remote devices or attached monitor.  "Qobuz connect" does not offer that.  Overall, for me, this is really an outstanding setup - Note: Sound performance being my primary driver.  In addition, the Volumio software is constantly being updated/improved and "Qobuz Connect" was recently added and easliy enabled in my setup.   Here is a pic. 

At the risk of blasphemy, consider a fanless mini PC, mine’s a mele @$350, add a Denafrips IRIS @$500 via USB, then I2S to your Pontus 15th and run Qobuz Connect.  I have this set up with an IRIS and Pontus 12th feeding McIntosh tube amp to a pair of Klipschhorns, sounds fabulous and Qobuz connect makes ease of use a snap. 

Volumio rivo or rivo+ ($1000 & $1500 respectively).  The streamer is not causing “shrillness”, it’s just a glorified transport.  But cheaper ones can be noisier than better engineered stuff. and your DAC may be susceptible to noise (some are less so for various reasons).

Agree with those who are saying Aurender. Don't sleep on the "lower" models either, they are still quite good. Bonus points for being available on the second hand market for great prices.

@jallan is barking up the right tree.  It sounds to me that you prefer a more "tuby" rather than detailed presentation so Aurender would be a good choice.  I just upgraded my streamer and auditioned quite a number of units and the Aurender is more analogue sounding than most.  Aurender is Qobuz connect ready.

I have heard good things about the Airlens but won't speak to it since I've not personally heard it.  Good luck and cheers

Cheap- used Aurender N100H for about $1000

Better- new Aurender N200 for $6,300.

I’m using PS audio Airlens to Laiv Harmony DAC. Sounds fantastic and works great with Qobuz connect. Really liking QC, I’ll probably drop Roon when it comes up for renewal. No USB on the Airlens though.

@foggyus91 does the UltraRendu Plus accept Qobuz Connect, though? Maybe I missed it, but haven’t seen any confirmation.

I will say that I could never maintain a stable connection with Spotify Connect and my opticalRendu. Also not the biggest fan of having to go through sonicorbitor.com to select the output. Small negatives; love everything else.

@mazian

+1

You have good gear so don't skimp on the streamer. Look for a new or used Aurender.

PS Audio Airlens is certified for Qubuz Connect now - last email I got was priced at $1500

https://www.psaudio.com/products/airlens

Sonore UltraRendu Plus and they are on sale. 

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/music-players/products/ultrarendu

Sigh

If you are using a decent power conditioner to plug a streamer into, consider a WiiM Ultra with a Synergistic Research Tranquility Pod Carbon on top. I just conducted an experiment using this combo against some high end streamers (well over $1,500) that I have on the floor and was very surprised by the results. Of course I am also using good Ethernet and digital cables, which helps.

I have no affiliation with WiiM, but I am an authorized Synergistic Research dealer.

PS Audio Airlens can be found used for around that $ and the new firmware supports Qobuz connect.  If you buy it new you might be able to do a try & buy but your getting close to the $2k mark then

update: Airlens on sale for $1.5K and ouputs to I2S/HDMI which your DAC appears to support.

https://www.dagogo.com/ps-audio-airlens-and-directstream-dac-mk2-review/